Managing Network Resource Requests

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving an abbreviated resource request including an abbreviated name; identifying, from the abbreviated resource request, a predetermined symbol separate from the abbreviated name, and a web site action code; matching the predetermined symbol with a web page of a specific web site; and responding to the abbreviated resource request with an address of the web page, wherein the abbreviated name is assigned to a specific web site.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the abbreviated resource request includes a string of characters having two distinct portions; one of the portions includes the abbreviated name; and another of the portions includes the predetermined symbol.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving, the identifying, the matching, and the responding are performed on a relay server.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the abbreviated resource request is received from a command window of a web browser.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: matching the web site action code to an action to be taken on the specific web site.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the action includes one of: sending an e-mail to an address associated with the web site, using a social network to contact someone on the web site, linking to a purchasing section of the web site, obtaining information from the web site, downloading content from the web site, and performing a text search on the web site.

7. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving an abbreviated resource request including an abbreviated name; identifying, from the abbreviated resource request, a predetermined advertising code separate from the abbreviated name; extracting information about an end user utilizing the abbreviated resource request; matching the predetermined advertising code with a particular advertising medium; and tracking and recording, using the abbreviated resource request, information regarding the advertising medium, wherein the abbreviated name is assigned to a specific web site, and the predefined advertising code identifies an originating source where the abbreviated resource request is placed.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: identifying, from the abbreviated resource request, a predetermined symbol separate from the abbreviated name; matching the predetermined symbol with a web page of a specific web site; and responding to the abbreviated resource request with an address of the web page.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the abbreviated resource request includes a string of characters having three distinct portions; one of the portions includes the abbreviated name; another of the portions includes the predetermined symbol; and yet another of the portions includes the predetermined advertising code.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the extracted information includes at least one of: time and date information, end user location information, personal data, and demographic information.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the originating source is one of: a magazine, a newspaper, a television commercial, and a billboard.

12. A computer hardware system, comprising: at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to initiate and/or perform: receiving an abbreviated resource request including an abbreviated name; identifying, from the abbreviated resource request, a predetermined symbol separate from the abbreviated name, and a web site action code; matching the predetermined symbol with a web page of a specific web site; and responding to the abbreviated resource request with an address of the web page, wherein the abbreviated name is assigned to a specific web site.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the abbreviated resource request includes a string of characters having two distinct portions; one of the portions includes the abbreviated name; and another of the portions includes the predetermined symbol.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the receiving, the identifying, the matching, and the responding are performed on a relay server.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the abbreviated resource request is received from a command window of a web browser.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to initiate and/or perform: matching the web site action code to an action to be taken on the specific web site.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the action includes one of: sending an e-mail to an address associated with the web site, using a social network to contact someone on the web site, linking to a purchasing section of the web site, obtaining information from the web site, downloading content from the web site, and performing a text search on the web site.